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Inkanyamba is so elusive that it’s unclear whether there’s only one Inkanyamba, or an entire species of them. It is, or they are, most active during the summer months, and are thought to be responsible for the seasonal storms that spring up around that time and devastate the land. During the winter, Inkanyamba either hibernates or migrates to warmer waters (where it is seen in other parts of the world). Because of this creature’s elusive nature, it’s hard to discern whether Inkanyamba is laying eggs in other waters and returning to its African home once it’s done, or if it simply prefers to travel all over the globe. Sadly, very few people get close enough to Inkanyamba to confirm either theory before being eaten.

Most often observed in fresh inland waters, the Inkanyamba is capable of rapid underwater travel, and can blast through rock formations and survive the scalding steam of geysers. Legends portray these creatures riding the winds of violent storms, or “swimming” through clouds high in the air. If a mage becomes powerful enough to possess an Inkanyamba, they can quickly travel vast distances by water, destroying almost any physical obstacle that stands in their way. In order to approach the waters without getting swallowed up by Inkanyamba, however, prayers and offerings must first be given to the creature in order to appease its violent nature, and to calm the raging storms and rain the creature often summons to hide itself or distract its prey.

Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 7, Stamina 8, Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3, Perception 2, Intelligence 1, Wits 3

Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 5, Awareness 2, Brawl 4, Stealth 3

Willpower: 4

Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, OK, ‒1 ‒1 ‒1, ‒1, ‒2, ‒2, ‒5, ‒5, Incapacitated

Armor Rating: 3 (11 soak dice, total)

Powers/Advantages: Bite for Strength + 3 lethal damage; crush for Strength lethal damage; swallow for Strength lethal damage; barbed “mane” gores for Strength + 2 lethal damage / Alacrity (6 pts.); Armor (3 pts.); Elemental Touch (15 pts.); Fangs and Horns; Flexibility; Soak Aggravated Damage; Tunneling

Image: Inkanyamba has a serpentine body roughly 50 feet long, with a vaguely horselike head. The creature’s “mane,” however, is made of sharp, hooked fins, and its two foreflippers extend out from its body by two meters or so. Its mouth is filled with jagged teeth, like those of a piranha, and although it’s often known by a single proper name, the various colors and patterns attributed to its skin suggest there may be many such creatures deep beneath the waters.